Harbor Freight - Radiator Pressure Tester - Finding Coolant Leaks on a 2004 Nissan Xterra

[@AllThatWasHidden]

I have a 2002 Xterra SC Supercharged. Love it. Can you do a video on premium gas? Octane? It asks for premium. But, does that mean 91 or 93 Octane? Also had a flashing check engine that then cleared itself. SMH. Gas related?

[@XterraRob]

Could possibly be gas related. Any idea what code it was? I'll try to film this one next. Basically if it runs well on regular gas you are fine. If the CEL is fuel related then it should clear with higher grade gas. Hard to know for sure without more detail though.

[@AllThatWasHidden]

@@XterraRob I've been putting 93 in it and I thought maybe that's too high. Maybe I should back it down to 91 octane. The code cleared itself before the mechanic could read it. But it went from blinking to solid and stayed that way for about 24 hours before it cleared itself

[@AllThatWasHidden]

@@XterraRob all the mechanic could tell me is that it was a misfire on cylinder 2

[@XterraRob]

@@AllThatWasHidden that's code P0302. Most likely spark plugs or wires. Gas will usually effect all cylinders in the engine.

[@AllThatWasHidden]

@@XterraRob cool man, I appreciate it

[@flightofthefatman]

The clamps that are a problem as they don't flex with changing temperature like spring clamps. Those clamps will crack the radiator connecting tube.

[@XterraRob]

Excellent point that I didn’t mention. 100% correct

[@AllThatWasHidden]

Wish they just sold the pump and the adapter separately. Dont need all those adaptors

[@XterraRob]

Depends how many cars you own :) I have my Nissan, a Kia, and a Toyota. Nice to have a variety. But if you have an air compressor...or any other kind of air pump, I have seen people make their own adapters with cork or rubber plugs and and RTVd needle or fitting through the center. Just gotta make sure you have a regulator on an air compressor to limit the pressure to 15 PSI tops. I thought about making one then just figured Id waste too much time fooling with it.

[@achedrick1]

I got the exact same kit on Amazon years ago under some other brand name for like $35 I believe. I had the same issue with that upper hose leaking, with a new hose. Had to change to a proper style hose clamp to fix it. Those screw style clamps don’t apply even pressure around the hose.

[@XterraRob]

Word. I looked on Amazon and they all appeared to be in That 70 dollar range when i looked. Auto zone sells their kit for $250...crazy! Sounds like you found the better deal!

[@XterraRob]

I have a longer video to upload next but basically ive learned my lesson. Ive replaced all these hoses with after market versions and used worm gear clamps. They all ended up leaking. OEM hoses and spring style clamps for me. I just re-did the lower hoses and re-sealed thermostat housing. Thoses definitely arent leaking now that I switched to new OEM hoses and good clamps.

[@lexi-conby]

@@XterraRobyup, same here except i used some worm clamps for the rear upper plenum smaller coolant hoses due to 2 reasons. first because the gates hoses were thicker and oem spring clamps can't fit around them and second because i thought it would be easier to remove in the future since they're such a PITA to remove (never did the delete on those as i still prefer to keep coolant flowing around the intake manifold as god intended). about 50k later, started seeing puddles on the ground

[@Mr.Ramirez95]

I had exact same problem with that upper radiator hose. I think my clamp is going bad. Also towards the back of the engine there's 2 small coolant lines that are hard to spot and hard to reach.

[@XterraRob]

Yeah those lines are tough to get to! That upper hose is annoying. Ive replaced them all before with aftermarket versions and used worm gear style clamps. They still leaked. I've learned my lesson. OEM hoses and clamps for me.